Morecambe keep play-off hopes alive with win at Lancashire rivals Accrington

Morecambe halted a run of four successive losses with a 2-1 win over Accrington to claim the bragging rights in their Lancashire derby.

Nelson Khumbeni and Chris Stokes scored second-half goals for the Shrimps, who still have a chance of securing a play-off place, before Lewis Shipley grabbed what proved a consolation.

There wasn’t a lot to remember from the first half in terms of goalmouth action.

Both keepers had one save to make, with Morecambe’s Archie Mair tipping over a Brad Hills effort after 22 minutes and Manchester United loan stopper Radek Vitek easily collecting a Khumbeni strike.

After the break, Stanley had a chance cleared off the line in a scramble and, from this, Morecambe broke through Gerard Garner down the right and he passed to Khumbeni in the area, who found the top corner of the net after 55 minutes. It was the Bolton loanee’s first goal for the Shrimps.

The second came seven minutes later when Charlie Brown’s free-kick into a crowded area was turned home by Stokes from close range.

A Jack Nolan cross was headed home by Shipley after 89 minutes but, despite nine minutes of added time, the hosts could not grab an equaliser.